George Catchpole is selected on the left wing following Adam Thompstone's call-up to the England Saxons squad.

Tom Price comes in at lock, with Steve Mafi switching to the back row alongside Argentina international Pablo Matera, who makes his first appearance at Welford Road, and number eight Thomas Waldrom who is named as captain.

Other senior players in the line-up include Scott Hamilton, Matt Smith and Rob Hawkins.

Henry Purdy and Will Owen, both named in the 23-man squad at Harlequins last weekend, are with England Under-20s for the start of their Six Nations campaign and are replaced on the bench by Academy wing Rhys Williams and back-rower Michael Noone.

Meanwhile, flanker David Sisi will make his first start for Bath.

Sisi starts on the blindside, with Alafoti Fa'osiliva and Leroy Houston joining him in the back row. Stuart Hooper returns at lock to captain the side, alongside Dominic Day. In the front row, Charlie Beech gets his first start of the season at loosehead, Ross Batty is at hooker and Juan Pablo Orlandi continues at tighthead.

Academy back Ollie Devoto is given the nod at fly-half with the experienced Peter Stringer joining him in the halfbacks.

The backline sees only two changes from that which dispatched Cardiff Blues last weekend, as Gavin Henson is named at inside centre to partner Matt Banahan in the midfield and Nick Abendanon returns at fullback. Flyers Tom Biggs and Richard Lane keep their places on the wings.